'''Sulmona''' is a secluded and somewhat overlooked small city in [[Abruzzo]]. Surrounded by imposing mountains at about four hundred metres above sea level, it doesn't feel like it has 25,000 inhabitants. It is close to the ski resorts of Roccaraso and the beaches around Pescara. Sulmona is one of the oldest towns in [[Abruzzo]], with many buildings from the middle ages or earlier. It is well known for being the native town of the poet [http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/a/ovid.htm Ovid].

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'''Sulmona''' is a secluded and somewhat overlooked small city in [[Abruzzo]]. Surrounded by imposing mountains at about four hundred metres above sea level, it doesn't feel like it has 25,000 inhabitants. It is close to the ski resorts of Roccaraso and the beaches around Pescara. Sulmona is one of the oldest towns in [[Abruzzo]], with many buildings from the middle ages or earlier. It is well known for being the native town of the poet Ovid.

[[Image: 3811283380_d9c466ff10.jpg|thumb|300px|The old town of Sulmona]]

[[Image: 3811283380_d9c466ff10.jpg|thumb|300px|The old town of Sulmona]]

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The train across the mountains from Rome (via [[Tivoli]] and [[Avezzano]]) is spectacular and slow, perfect for checking out the scenery. There are about six trains daily from Rome Tiburtina station (first at 07.51, last at 18.38) which take about 2 hours 45 minutes.

The train across the mountains from Rome (via [[Tivoli]] and [[Avezzano]]) is spectacular and slow, perfect for checking out the scenery. There are about six trains daily from Rome Tiburtina station (first at 07.51, last at 18.38) which take about 2 hours 45 minutes.

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About ten trains daily from Pescara Centrale station (first at 04.50, last at 21.00) which takes about an hour. See [http://trenitalia.com/ Trenitalia].

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About ten Trenitalia trains run daily from Pescara Centrale station (first at 04.50, last at 21.00) which takes about an hour. [http://trenitalia.com/].

===By bus===

===By bus===

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The quickest way from Rome is to take the regular buses to and from Rome Tiburtina bus station which takes around two hours. There are also buses from Pescara and L'Aquila. See [http://www.arpaonline.it/ ARPA]

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The quickest way from Rome is to take the regular buses to and from Rome Tiburtina bus station which takes around two hours. There are also ARPA buses from Pescara and L'Aquila. [http://www.arpaonline.it/]

===By car===

===By car===

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Driving from Rome takes about 1.5 hours along the Autostrada A25 (Roma–Pescara). The roads are excellent and traffic light most of the time, but be prepared for traffic getting out of Rome. The toll will cost around €9 all the way (pick up a ticket going out of Rome, hand the ticket to the booth at the Sulmona exit).

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Driving from Rome takes about 1.5 hours along the Autostrade A24 and A25. The roads are excellent and traffic is usually light, but be prepared for delays getting out of Rome. The toll will cost around €13 all the way. Pick up a ticket at the barriers at Lunghezza (just east of Rome) and pay when you leave the Autostrada at the Sulmona-Pratola Peligna exit.

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It's possible to drive from pescara in less than 1 hour.

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It's possible to drive from Pescara in less than 1 hour for a cost of around €4.[http://www.autostrade.it/en/autostrade/ricercaPercorso.do?tipo=P&dtxpDa=&dtxpA=&dtxpPer=&dtxpEsc=&dscDa=chieti&dscA=sulmona&dscPer=&dscEsc=&soloAuto=on&equivalenzaClassi=A]

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When parking it's best to avoid the old town and park just outside. There is a good car park next to the fire station (follow signs to the 'Vigili del fuoco' from where it is a short walk up to the old town.

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When parking it's best to avoid the old town and park just outside. There is a free car park next to the fire station (follow signs to the 'Vigili del fuoco') from where it is a short walk up to the old town. There is also a covered multi-storey car park at Santa Chiara on the ring road, from where it is possible to cut through to the main square. Parking here costs around €1 per hour.

When arriving by train is possible to walk to the centre in about 15 minutes (turn right out of the station). There is usually a taxi or two waiting for the train, if there is not then try phoning from the taxi phone outside the station. It's not unusual to be offered (or to ask for) a lift in someone's car up to town.

When arriving by train is possible to walk to the centre in about 15 minutes (turn right out of the station). There is usually a taxi or two waiting for the train, if there is not then try phoning from the taxi phone outside the station. It's not unusual to be offered (or to ask for) a lift in someone's car up to town.

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For private car or bus hire there is a friendly and English speaking company called [http://www.vedaviaggi.com/ Vedaviaggi] that can take various sizes of groups around the area.

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For private car or bus hire there is a friendly and English speaking company called Vedaviaggi[http://www.vedaviaggi.com/] that can take various sizes of groups around the area.

[[Image:Sulmona_Corso_Ovidio.jpg|thumb|300px| Piazza XX Settembre]]

[[Image:Sulmona_Corso_Ovidio.jpg|thumb|300px| Piazza XX Settembre]]

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*<do name="Cafe's, restaurants, bars" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">The old town is full of cafes and bars and is great for hanging out during the morning and late afternoon, and especially in the evening.</do>

*<do name="Cafe's, restaurants, bars" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">The old town is full of cafes and bars and is great for hanging out during the morning and late afternoon, and especially in the evening.</do>

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*<do name="Passeggiata" alt="" address="Corso Ovidio" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="Between 6-8pm and after dinner at about 11pm" price="" lat="" long="">The disappearing tradition of walking the main street is alive and strong in Sulmona. Corso Ovidio gets very busy with the daily passeggiata, but especially at weekends and on holidays. Great for people watching.</do>

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*<do name="Passeggiata" alt="" address="Corso Ovidio" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="Between 6-8PM and after dinner at about 11PM" price="" lat="" long="">The disappearing tradition of walking the main street is alive and strong in Sulmona. Corso Ovidio gets very busy with the daily passeggiata, but especially at weekends and on holidays. Great for people watching.</do>

*<buy name="Giostra Cavalleresca" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.giostrasulmona.it/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">In the last week of July there is a reenactment of the classic Renaissance jousting competition with lots of period costumes, music and hearty food. The whole town is taken over and everyone gets involved.</buy>

*<buy name="Giostra Cavalleresca" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.giostrasulmona.it/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">In the last week of July there is a reenactment of the classic Renaissance jousting competition with lots of period costumes, music and hearty food. The whole town is taken over and everyone gets involved.</buy>

*<sleep name="L'annunziata affittacamere" alt="" address="Via Paolina" directions="" phone="+39.338.9494940" url="http://www.affittacamerelannunziata.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="€35 Single -€45 Double" lat="" long="">Simple but comfortable rooms with kitchen, very well located in the centre of the old town. Giuseppina is extremely friendly and speaks excellent english.</sleep>

*<sleep name="Hotel Stella Enoteca Bono" alt="" address="Via Mazara, 18" directions="" phone="+39 0 86452653" url="http://www.hasr.it" checkin="19.00" checkout="10.00" price="70.00" lat="" long="">Inside the medieval walls of Sulmona, next to the town's main square, Piazza XX Settembre. Its restaurant serves food and wines from Abruzzo. All rooms come with TV, fan, and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Transfer services are available to Pescara and Rome airports but must be booked 48 hours in advance.</sleep>

The Sulmona Tourist Office is located inside the Annunziata di Sulmona building on Corso Ovidio. They are friendly and have free Wifi. +39.0864.210216.

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The Sulmona Tourist Office is located inside the Annunziata di Sulmona building on Corso Ovidio. They are friendly and have free Wi-Fi. +39.0864.210216.

comune.sulmona.aq.it

comune.sulmona.aq.it

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*Day trip to the beaches of [[Pescara]]

*Day trip to the beaches of [[Pescara]]

*Regular local buses to [[Bugnara]], [[Introdacqua]], [[Pacentro]] and [[Scanno]] for exploring other hilltowns and hiking - timetables at the Info Centre, tickets from the tobaccanist, find out which side of the main park the bus will leave from - there are two bus-stops one on each side.

*Regular local buses to [[Bugnara]], [[Introdacqua]], [[Pacentro]] and [[Scanno]] for exploring other hilltowns and hiking - timetables at the Info Centre, tickets from the tobaccanist, find out which side of the main park the bus will leave from - there are two bus-stops one on each side.

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* Sulmona Taxi: +39.360.364200 info@sulmonataxi.it

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{{isIn|L'Aquila_(province)}}

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{{isPartOf|L'Aquila_(province)}}

[[Wikipedia:Sulmona]]

[[Wikipedia:Sulmona]]

{{Usable}}

{{Usable}}

{{cityguide}}

{{cityguide}}

Revision as of 13:31, 15 June 2013

Sulmona is a secluded and somewhat overlooked small city in Abruzzo. Surrounded by imposing mountains at about four hundred metres above sea level, it doesn't feel like it has 25,000 inhabitants. It is close to the ski resorts of Roccaraso and the beaches around Pescara. Sulmona is one of the oldest towns in Abruzzo, with many buildings from the middle ages or earlier. It is well known for being the native town of the poet Ovid.

The old town of Sulmona

Contents

Get in

Sulmona is very well connected to Rome, Pescara and other cities in Abruzzo, via train, bus and autostrada.

By train

The train across the mountains from Rome (via Tivoli and Avezzano) is spectacular and slow, perfect for checking out the scenery. There are about six trains daily from Rome Tiburtina station (first at 07.51, last at 18.38) which take about 2 hours 45 minutes.

About ten Trenitalia trains run daily from Pescara Centrale station (first at 04.50, last at 21.00) which takes about an hour. [1].

By bus

The quickest way from Rome is to take the regular buses to and from Rome Tiburtina bus station which takes around two hours. There are also ARPA buses from Pescara and L'Aquila. [2]

By car

Driving from Rome takes about 1.5 hours along the Autostrade A24 and A25. The roads are excellent and traffic is usually light, but be prepared for delays getting out of Rome. The toll will cost around €13 all the way. Pick up a ticket at the barriers at Lunghezza (just east of Rome) and pay when you leave the Autostrada at the Sulmona-Pratola Peligna exit.

It's possible to drive from Pescara in less than 1 hour for a cost of around €4.[3]

When parking it's best to avoid the old town and park just outside. There is a free car park next to the fire station (follow signs to the 'Vigili del fuoco') from where it is a short walk up to the old town. There is also a covered multi-storey car park at Santa Chiara on the ring road, from where it is possible to cut through to the main square. Parking here costs around €1 per hour.

The aqueduct on Piazza Garibaldi

Get around

There are local buses that go to and from the station into town, and to the surrounding towns (buy tickets in the tabacchi outside the station or in the centre). Buses don't run on Sundays.

When arriving by train is possible to walk to the centre in about 15 minutes (turn right out of the station). There is usually a taxi or two waiting for the train, if there is not then try phoning from the taxi phone outside the station. It's not unusual to be offered (or to ask for) a lift in someone's car up to town.

For private car or bus hire there is a friendly and English speaking company called Vedaviaggi[4] that can take various sizes of groups around the area.

Piazza XX Settembre

See

Cattedrale di San Panfilo. Dating from 1075 this cathedral shows layer upon layer of architectural renovations after successive earthquakes.

Piazza XX Settembre. One of the main squares of the city, bustling with people during the early evenings. A bronze statue of the Roman poet Ovid takes up the centre of the square.

Piazza Garibaldi The largest square in the town, featuring a large Baroque fountain and the location of weekly markets on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Palazzo Annunziata Palace and a museum complex depicting the city's Roman history.

Church of Santa Maria della Tomba is a beautifully restored church constructed in the location of a pagan temple for Jove, the 14th century Porta Napoli.

Aqueduct is a striking part of the main square and dates back to 1256.

Santa Chiara monastery - Museum of Modern Art and a collection of embroidered clothes worn by priests.

Easter (Pasqua) in Sulmona

Do

Cafe's, restaurants, bars. The old town is full of cafes and bars and is great for hanging out during the morning and late afternoon, and especially in the evening.

Passeggiata, Corso Ovidio. Between 6-8PM and after dinner at about 11PM. The disappearing tradition of walking the main street is alive and strong in Sulmona. Corso Ovidio gets very busy with the daily passeggiata, but especially at weekends and on holidays. Great for people watching.

Giostra Cavalleresca, [5]. In the last week of July there is a reenactment of the classic Renaissance jousting competition with lots of period costumes, music and hearty food. The whole town is taken over and everyone gets involved.

Camerata Musicale Sulmonese, Via dei sardi, 9 (Concerts usually held in L'Annunziata), ☎+39.0864.212207, [6]. The Camerata Musicale Sulmonese organise a series of concerts from classical to opera to jazz.

Sulmona film festival, Via Aragona, 14 - 67039 Sulmona, [7]. A yearly event in November, takes over the Cinema Teatro Pacifico and a few other venues to show local, Italian and international film.€10 for all films.

Buy

“Confetti of Sulmona” and the Pelino House, [8]. Lots of shops along the main street sell Confetti, the local speciality of highly colourful sugar coated almonds. The Pelino museum and factory can be visited for free on Via Stazione Introdacqua 55.

Boutiques of Corso Ovidio. The main street is lined with fashion boutiques, from large names such as Sisley and Benetton to local brands like Carpisa and Chagall. Plenty of shoe shops.

Markets, Piazza Garibaldi. The weekly markets sell vegetables, meats and local produce, as well as a hit-and-miss selection of furniture and antiques. Look out for local farmers and their families with a couple of jars of honey or a few cloves of garlic for sale on an upturned crate.

Eat

Cantina Di Biffi, Via Barbato, 1, 67039 Sulmona, [9]. A very family run affair, Biffi won't usually give you a menu, offering instead daily specialities cooked by his mum. Excellent selection of local wines. Closed on Mondays€30-60 per head.

Osteria del tempo perso, Vico del Vecchio 7, 67039 Sulmona. An excellent pizzeria (with fantastic tasting dough) popular with a young crowd, with local wines and some exotic beers. €15-30 per head.

Bed and Breakfast Santa Chiara, ☎+39.0864.52794, [14]. Set in a villa slightly outside the old town, with a garden, nicely decorated rooms.€70-€120 Double.

L'annunziata affittacamere, Via Paolina, ☎+39.338.9494940, [15]. Simple but comfortable rooms with kitchen, in the centre of the old town. Giuseppina is extremely friendly and speaks excellent English.€35 Single -€45 Double.

Hotel Stella Enoteca Bono, Via Mazara, 18, ☎+39 0 86452653, [20]. checkin: 19.00; checkout: 10.00. Inside the medieval walls of Sulmona, next to the town's main square, Piazza XX Settembre. Its restaurant serves food and wines from Abruzzo. All rooms come with TV, fan, and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Transfer services are available to Pescara and Rome airports but must be booked 48 hours in advance.70.00.

Contact

The Sulmona Tourist Office is located inside the Annunziata di Sulmona building on Corso Ovidio. They are friendly and have free Wi-Fi. +39.0864.210216.

comune.sulmona.aq.it

Get out

Walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skiing in the local hills and mountains

Regular local buses to Bugnara, Introdacqua, Pacentro and Scanno for exploring other hilltowns and hiking - timetables at the Info Centre, tickets from the tobaccanist, find out which side of the main park the bus will leave from - there are two bus-stops one on each side.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!